Smart Moves for First-Year Students

I sat down with a career advisor to gather general advice and tips for first-year students at DePaul. Here are four smart moves you can make as a freshman to set yourself up for success at DePaul and in the future.

Apply For Classes as Early as Possible

You should always try to apply as soon as possible for your classes. Don’t wait until the last minute, as you could lose out on classes you want, or be forced to wait until the class opens up!

Work on your Resume, But Seriously

As a first-year student, resumes may not seem that important, but having one is vital for internships and jobs. Even if you’re not applying for any jobs just yet, having one may prove to be useful as a source of your qualifications. If you are wondering where to go to get help creating or reviewing your résumé, here’s the answer: At the Career Center. The Career Center offers these services for free.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

If you’re feeling unsure about anything, you can easily find help! Whether it’s receiving help from the Writing Center on your final essays or working with the Career Center to figure out what you want to do with your time here at DePaul, there are many resources available to you, you just have to go get it!

Discover Passions, Get Involved

DePaul has over 350 student organizations for you to explore! Ranging from DAB (DePaul Activities Board) to DePaul Radio, there are plenty of places for you to discover your passions and interests. Getting involved is a great way to establish connections with your fellow peers, as well as grow your networking options.

Not sure about your career path? It’s okay to not know exactly what you want to do. Luckily, there are ways for you to figure it out. Undeclared, unsure, or just curious, there are plenty of opportunities for you to explore a career. From job shadowing, interviewing, networking with alumni and attending fairs, there are multiple opportunities for you to find out which path suits you best.

Once you have access, head on over to the DePaul Handshake site to find internships, jobs, workshops, mentors and networking events. Start your first year off on the right foot; explore, get connected and start experiencing.